We
produce five different Zinfandels from Amador County. The source for this wine, the Nostro Vino
Vineyard, is located on Steiner Road just a couple of miles to the north east
of the winery. It doesn’t seem like much, but it makes all the difference in
the world. The Nostro Vino vineyard is a
good three to four hundred feet higher in elevation than any other source we
have for Zinfandel, and it has a northern exposure in one of the coolest
microclimates in the Shenandoah Valley.
This all conspires to delay the harvest for two to three weeks later
than our other sources of Zinfandel. The
vineyard warms slowly in the spring and the buds begin to grow ten to twenty
days after their warmer counterparts.
The result is that when the grapes ripen in the fall we are a little
deeper into the season the nights are a wee bit cooler and the grapes acquire
more pigment and retain more acidity.
This translates into wines with more color and depth, more tannin and often
a point or two more alcohol: the classic big bold Amador County Zinfandel.

The 2016 "R" Zinfandel has a ruby purple color
with carmine hues. The aroma is pure
Zinfandel; loaded with briary dusty raspberries, both red and black. Eighteen
months in small barrels has produced a bouquet that offers smoky roasted
hazelnut with notes of mocha, and just a hint of caramel. On the palate, the 2016 wine delivers
succulent Zinfandel flavors with plenty of savory plum, raspberry and
marionberry. This wine has a creamy
texture and a finish of toasted oak and dark chocolate that lingers well. This
is a Zinfandel, that while big and rich, remains true to the varietal without
stepping over the line and into the realm of off dry, late harvest, and dessert
styled wines.

Temperature Notice

We cannot ship wine when temperatures are above 85 degrees or below freezing. If you are placing an order and need your wine shipped during the summer heat, we do offer a temperature control option for $9.50. Please contact us directly, 209-245-6282 ext 301 to place your order.